Cheers to 10 Years of Cradle and Cycles!

Did you know that Cradle baby bottle and nipple cleanser is also great for washing toys, baby accessories, and even fruits and vegetables?

Emily Balajadia, who along with her husband Dennis, the husband and wife team behind Cradle and Cycles, also shares that Cradle baby bottle and nipple cleanser is perfect for washing real nipples (yes, as in our nipples), prior to direct breastfeeding.

When she was still breastfeeding, she would get OC about the toxic residue left by regular body soaps, and recommends this as the safer alternative because it is gentle and mild. Just use it like soap and rinse off with water. That easy.

So that is why if there's one product I bring with me whenever I travel, especially since I am still breastfeeding and pumping when on the go, it would be a Cradle baby bottle and nipple cleanser. 

This sample size pouch I packed on my last trip was enough to last me a week!

Even though I have big bottles of Cradle stored at home, I would still collect all the samples and save it for my trips, because they're so handy. I've brought them along to Singapore, Hong Kong and recently Paris. It's an essential part of my pumping kit. (In fact, I'll share with you tips on how I pump and bring home breast milk from abroad on a separate post ;)

Speaking of essential, I can't imagine having a baby 10 or more years ago, when "baby safe", "organic", "biodegradable", and "natural" were just buzzwords. It was 10 years ago in fact, that Emily and Dennis started Cradle and sister brand Cycles, when they realized that they were shipping boxes of baby laundry detergent and baby safe products from abroad, they decided they might as well make their own. (On a side note, Emily and Dennis are also behind Beach Hut sunblock, a line of sun protection products borne out of their frequent family beach trips!)

Fast forward to now, not only has their product range gone beyond laundry detergents and bottle cleansers - with Cycles coming out with a stain soaker and skin care products like insect repellent cream and mosquito patches, diaper rash cream, cleanser and lotion and Cradle with a toy & surface cleaner, they have also become a trusted source of baby safe products here in the Philippines, as well as in Indonesia and Thailand.  What a feat, and all in 10 years!

Emily and Dennis, this deserves a huge thank you!

Thanks for having all these products made available here, so we don't have to do what you did a decade ago, shipping natural baby essentials from abroad. You have made going green easy and inexpensive for today's parents!

Happy 10 years to Cradle and Cycles, and many more years to come!

As part of the festivities, here's a chance to be one of the 5 lucky winners of Cycles & Cradle gift packs, simply by liking and sharing the celebrity moms or mommy bloggers postings! 

Here’s how to join: 

1. Like www.facebook.com/cradlenatural Fan Page. 

2. Like and Share any of the celebrity moms or mommy bloggers postings on Cradle Natural Facebook Fan Page from August 1 to November 18, 2015. 

3. On your caption, include #CradleNatural #10yearsofCyclesandCradle #NoCompromise 

See full mechanics: http://on.fb.me/1PwpKzq 

- Like & Share as many posts as you can for more chances of winning. 

- Participants may like and share multiple posts but may only win once in the entire duration of the promo. 

- Winners will be determined via e-raffle and drawn from Facebook and Instagram participants. - Make sure your post is public. 

- Promo Duration: October 20 to November 18, 2015. 

For more on on Cradle and Cycles, visit www.cradlenatural.com and www.cyclesbaby.com and follow @cradlenatural_ph, @cyclessensitive and @cyclesbaby_ph on Instagram.

A Philips Avent Trusted Mom Tests the New Comfort Breast Pump

There are two major things I learned after having two babies.

One is that no matter how many books and parenting magazines I read, how many mommy friends and experts I speak with, and consultations with our pedia that we go through, I will never know everything. There's always a new product out in the market, a parenting approach I should study, a bug we should watch out for, a safety/security alert to keep in mind, or an activity I should bring my kids too.

Second, there never is time for everything. I long for those long gone days when I could spend time going through each grocery aisle. When I could wander around the mall leisurely. When I could read a book, or even a magazine in one sitting. When I could enjoy my meal, savoring each bite and sipping my drink slowly, instead of wolfing it down and gulping, because I have a baby waiting to be fed, carried or entertained.

It is also this constant desire to learn from others and through my own efforts, in as little time as possible, that has also led me to the best products and practices for my kids that work for my own parenting style and our lifestyle. Since I do not have the luxury of time and an unlimited budget to buy and test various products, I always go for the products with the best reviews. And once I've grown to love products I've tried and tested, I am pretty much an advocate for life.

I suppose that's the reason why I've been chosen to become one of Philips Avent's Trusted Moms. From bottle warmers to drinking cups, feeding spoons and bowls, we've been using Avent ever since Berry was a baby and up to now for Xavi.

One of the perks of being a Philips Avent Trusted Mom is that we get a first look at new product releases. One such sneak peek was at the launch of the Philips Avent New Natural Bottle and Comfort Breast Pumps line.

The Natural Bottle and Comfort Breast Pumps are the latest redesign of products aimed to combine breast and bottle-feeding in a way that is as close to nature as possible. The Natural Bottles have an extra-soft and anti-colic nipple as well as unique comfort petals that make sure the nipple does not collapse during feeding. Plus, these bottles also feature a new ergonomic shape that makes it easy for both mom and baby to hold.

Meanwhile, Comfort Breast Pumps are made to help any mother breastfeed for a longer period of time. It comes in an easy to carry bag too so you can bring your pump along everywhere you go.

Small, compact, quiet and lightweight (see how small they are next to an iPhone), Avent electric breast pumps not only allow total ease and comfort while pumping, they also express a lot more milk in less time.

How comfortable? Well, the breast shield has a shorter, integrated funnel so we can pump without having to lean forward. Sitting up straight is of course more comfortable than having to lean forward, and it is that comfortable position that will allow us to express more milk.

Instead of just hard plastic for the breast flange, it has a massage cushion with soft "petals" that gently compress the boobs to stimulate milk flow. It also has a velvety texture which feels warm on the breasts, further helping us relax while pumping milk.

Another great thing about the breast pump are the covers! No need to worry about exposing milk when you have to stop pumping for a bit. With my old pump, I used to just cover it with cling wrap. At least this one is more solid and sturdy.

Apart from bottles and breast pumps, there are also new no-spill drinking cups out. I can't wait for Xavi to test his to see how different this one is from Berry's Avent drinking cups.

The Natural Line will be available in stores by the mid-May 2013. To inquire about prices and product availability, call 7139435 to 38 loc 134 or 143 and look for Rechella or Angela. To view the products or buy ahead, then visit the Philips Avent showroom at:

LJS Corporate Center
550 Magistrado Abad Santos St.
Bacood Sta. Mesa, Manila 

For the latest updates, like Philips Avent Philippines on Facebook.

Mustela Stelatopia for Infant Eczema

To say that we are huge fans of Mustela is an understatement. Because I swear by it. Berry even knows the line by heart. This morning, she saw Mustela products at our pediatrician's office and she told her that she and Xavi use Mustela shampoo and body wash.

We also use Mustela Stelatria for itchy rashes and flare-ups. I actually took this photo of Berry's rashes that I sent to our pedia. She recommended we use Stelatria, so I went straight to the Mustela store in Shangri-la and in two days, I swear, the rashes were totally gone. Like they were never there.

These rashes disappeared in 2 days with Mustela Stelatria!

When I was pregnant with Xavi, I used the moisturizer and stretch marks cream, and loved the Instant Comfort Legs cream. Each night, Dada would massage my legs with it, and the tiredness in my legs seemed to just melt away.

The full range of Mustela products for babies and moms

A few months ago, Tammy Tancinco and Sharleen Cu-Unjieng of Mustela Philippines launched Mustela's Stelatopia line for babies with dry and eczema-prone skin.  Like Mustela's Nine Months, Dermo-Pediatrics and Sun Protection lines, Stelatopia is very safe, paraben-free and made from ingredients that are from natural origins. Say bye to steroids, forever!

Pediatrician, Dr. Vienne Saulog, is also a huge fan of Mustela

Mustela Philippines distributors Sharleen Cu-Unjieng and Tammy Tancinco with Juana Yupangco, Jackie Antonio and Amanda Jacob

Here's the 411:

Stelatopia is a line of high quality skin care for babies developed to gently yet effectively treat infant eczema. It offers a complete response to dry and eczema-prone skin with four high quality products guaranteed safe for babies. Stelatopia’s active ingredient is Sunflower Oil Distillate. It’s a patented ingredient of natural origin. It has lipid replenishing action and breaks the vicious cycle of atopic dermatitis by reducing xerosis, desquamation and itching.

From L to R: Stelatopia Emollient Cream in tube and pump, Cleansing Cream, No Rinse Cleansing Water and Milky Bath Oil

Stelatopia Cream Cleanser is ideal for daily cleansing of baby’s face, hair and body. It protects skin against dryness with its patented Active Lipid-Replenishing Process, and quickly soothes discomfort by reducing the sensation of irritation and itching.

When skin flare-ups occur, Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil comes to the rescue. Frequent use of this emollient-rich bath oil diminishes the frequency and intensity of flare-ups due to the presence of sunflower oil distillate. Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil requires no rinsing and does not leave an oily film.

Stelatopia Emollient Cream is a handy companion to keep skin nourished. It restores moisture balance by replenishing lipids while purifying the skin as it restructures even the driest skin, rebalances cutaneous flora and limits microbial proliferation. Stelatopia Emollient Cream limits the need for corticosteroids by up to 100%.

Finally, Stelatopia No-rinse Cleansing Water is a gentle, one-step daily use cleanser for face, body, and diaper area of babies. It gently cleanses the skin with an ultra-mild, no-rinse washing base to help form a barrier against hard water that may cause more irritation.

About Mustela:

Mustela continues to break new grounds as the skin care expert for babies and mothers to be, and holds its position as the number one selling product in European pharmacies. Mustela is manufactured by Laboratoires Expanscience, which is the 6th largest independent laboratory in France, and ensures its high quality products that are free from paraben, phthalate, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, chlorphenesin and essential oils. Priority is given to ingredients of natural origins ranging form 80% to 98%.

Mustela is available at the following outlets:

Ayala Trinoma, 1st Level (beside Cafe Mary Grace)
Robinson's Manila, 1st Level Midtown Wing (beside Topshop)
Glorietta 4, 3rd Level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)
Shangri-la Mall, 4th Level (in front of Mothercare)
Megamall A, 2nd Level (in front of Esprit)
The Shops, Greenhills Shopping Center 1st Level (in front of Watson’s and Mary Grace)
Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in front of K & Company)

Distributed at the following: 

PureBeauty, 2nd Floor Serendra, BGC
All Landmark Department Stores
All Rustan's Department Stores
Numa Echo Baby Store, QC

For more information: 
MUSTELA HOTLINE: 0917-8959988
Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Website: www.mustela.com
Facebook: Mustela Philippines